Final answer:
Gaseous diffusion is the process that describes how moisture moves through material as a vapor due to differences in pressure or temperature, where molecules move from higher to lower concentration areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movement of moisture in a vapor state through a material due to a difference in pressure or temperature is known as gaseous diffusion. This process can be understood as the spontaneous movement of gaseous atoms or molecules from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration, driven by the desire to reach equilibrium. The explanation for this movement is linked to kinetic theory, where molecules are in constant random motion, and the natural tendency is to spread out uniformly in the available space. This is different from osmosis, which is the diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane, and from convective diffusion which involves the movement caused by a fluid that is in motion, providing a mechanism for the transfer of heat or mass.